I haven't logged in to FA for a while. Glad to see things went on without me!

Seriously, though, guys. 196 submissions? 114 journals?? What are you all saying and writing!?

I plan to spend the next hour finding out.

ALSO,
you lucky people you...
Pittsburgh is just a couple days out! Hope to see some folks out there. If I don't, don't get offended. I really don't know what to expect this time around... I do expect this Anthrocon to be different, though, in some way. Not that I've got expectations!

If you feel the overwhelming need to plan out a time and place to meet up with me, send me a private message.

We can work it out.

I still love you all. Paul F. Tompkins loves you more, though.

I BOUGHT KRAFTWERK TICKETS ON SATURDAY.

Just thought I'd put that out there because I know a few people might care. It's a real once-every-so-whenever-they-decide-to-tour sort of thing, so it's VERY special to me. Especially since missing them in '98, '01 and not being able to fathom seeing them aside from then out...

Now, back to your regularly scheduled furry ridiculousness.

So. I haven't died or left or whatever, though I may as well have. At least as far as the internet is concerned.

Between music, suddenly becoming a social furry (! - never thought the day would come!), and other blah blah blah sort of things, I have devoted about 0 minutes of my daily routine to keeping things on a level with FurAffinity, its users (MY FRIENDS!), and most instant message programs.

As  defender has pointed out, The Presidents of The United States Of America have released a new record this past Tuesday. Please vote for them in your record-buying primary election, and attend some of their rallies across the nation they're calling "concerts."

Also, anybody making super-early plans to go to Anthrocon? I'm almost assuredly going, and because I'm all FURCRAZY now (see above :P), I'm up for meeting just about anybody who's on my watch list face to face. You guys are the best.

Judging by my week-or-more delay in writing about this, you'd think I got lost along the way.

Well, I haven't. I did make it back, and I've sort of just been in "training" if you will. Read on...

Further Confusion was great. California always looks good to somebody who's been screwing around in -10 degree (F) base temps, with -40 degree windchills. Even when the California weather decides to rain and be "cold" (50-60 degrees), it's still great for somebody like me. I acquired a new umbrella, and very much did walk around outside in the rain. The few times it wasn't raining, it was all the more beautiful.

Before I get a "tl; dr," I'll get to some main points:

- 'Stoli vodka is good, and some people mix very strong drinks - even when you ask them to (?)

- You and your friends can add witty commentary to movies on TNT - especially if they're Jurassic Park IV and Time Machine. (see above point)

- A lot of the "tracks" and presentations at FC seemed much less appealing/interesting than those I've attended at Anthrocon.

- I am not an "EXPERT" player on Guitar Hero III.

 meesh laid me down pretty bad in a Guitar Hero III tournament - playing a song I'd never played (I obviously didn't get the memo that you could get different songs if you play on CO-OP, or just unlock them with cheat codes) - on a level I haven't got to yet. It was fan-fucking-tastic to watch the REAL players play after the amateurs (uh - just me, pretty much) got eliminated.

All the shout-outs would take another journal, I'll just say THANKS to all who hung out with/around me. It definitely was awesome to meet up with and do some drinking with the "core" group of Mik, Deez, Cam, Hegdish, Hawthorne, poop... I'd heard stories about these sort of things, and I'm now glad that I've been a part of it.

oh, check out  hegdish . You'll be glad you did.

much success abound; cheapest trip to california I've ever been involved in. car, plane, hotel, con admission... it's all at prices I've never heard of.

"I'll be out there," just like I say every time I'm going to be somewhere. I usually end up "sidelining" - that is anonymously being there, known to about two or three people - but seeing and silently noting to myself that I "...could probably talk to [that person.] and actually introduce myself," but it so rarely happens.

Except at Further Confusion.

Last time I attended, it was for a shorter amount of time (I'll actually be around Friday through Sunday this time around), and I very unintentionally became associated with a glob of folks who went from room to room, party to party, getting to know a ton of folks, and getting in to various situations. It was a real interesting sort of thing.

So, this is fair warning, Further Confusion. drake is on his way.

so, after clearing out 62 journals, 83 submissions a smattering of watches and comments, I'm reminded as to why I should not only log in to FA more than once in a while, but actually REMOVE THINGS when I do so.

I stepped in to 2005 and got Guitar Hero I, II & III for my apparently horribly antiquated PS2. I tried to get Rock Band, but it appears that the PS2 version is just lacking. I'll get an XBOX or one of those other high-priced systems... but not before I drop a bunch of frivilous money on going to Further Confusion.

"The Holidays" were an amazing set of days that stretched from the 21st until the 1st of 2008, during which time a specific goal was set: to have no goals. This may sound strange to some, but it was a great goal to achieve, and it was fun! House parties, becoming an impromptu drummer during a basement show, driving in some amazing winter weather, and hanging with family & friends... it's the kind of holiday everybody wishes for. Or hates.

I'm going to make a few adjustments on this FA account of mine - nobody is really going to notice, but I will - and I'll enjoy it.

Happy New Year. "2008 is great." and all those other cliche sort of things.

the snow has finally come, finalizing that the winter season has finally moved in to the midwest.

ice, snow, flurries, rain, cold... It just doesn't get better than this.

I've uploaded an image of the winter gloves I recently built to my scraps gallery. They make me smile when I put them on every morning.

been too busy to do anything but log in and see the e-mail once in a while. been playing a lot of shows - been hanging out a lot - - you know how it is. or do you??

I'm SUPER EXCITED to buy ROCK BAND for the PS2 once it BECOMES AVAILABLE. And as soon as supplies present themselves. I wish everybody would just stop wanting it, because it would be super easy to find then.

SOON, I will be attending my 11th (!) They Might Be Giants show. It could be more than that, but I guess my memory is failing here and there. I've seen these guys SO many times, in SO many different configurations (some of my favorites include the in-store performances at Let It Be Records and the free concert on the Peavy Plaza - both in Minneapolis)... For a while, I was seeing upwards of 3 Giants shows a year.

This'll be the first (and likely only) in 2007. I CAN'T WAIT to hear more tracks from THE ELSE, which, incedentally is VERY attractive on vinyl (NICE gatefold sleeve - HEAVY 120g virgin vinyl!)

Just remember:

- 1 + NO = NO
- I am not your broom.
- Someone find Tommy!
- I want a rock.
- We're gettin' mental with it.

As the trees shed their leaves midwesterly, I can't help but think I should migrate... But there's so many great things keeping me here that I'd just have to travel back and forth to see regularly. Definitely wouldn't be worth it.

To whom do I owe the thanks for all this great artwork lately?! Seems like everybody's reaching in to their respective bags of tricks and sharing them as though they're treats this halloween season... I even like the FA banner this month!

I played a demo of ROCK BAND at Best Buy the other day - - and HOLY COW. As a drummer, I thought I'd be able to lick the drum part to SUFFREGATE CITY by Bowie easily... Well, that's like a guitar player saying I'LL BET I CAN WAIL ON GUITAR HERO the first time he sees it... It's not like that at all, but it's FLIPPIN' AWESOME. Can't wait for it to come out, and then come down in price.

At least the temperature hasn't decided to dip dramatically. I have my Fudd-esque hat ready to go for that time, though... Winter doesn't "skip" the midwest, so I know I'll use it.

I leave you with...

They say our summer vacation
Has come to an end
And that we simply have no more holiday to spend

They say no more barefoot
No playing around in the pool
They say now it’s time for us to go back to school

Got all my friends, a teacher, okay
But why do we really have to study all day
Well see I’m on to your scam and I’ll tell you how
We ended up with a Fall that we know of now

A time was invented to keep the kids in the hall
They gave it a name and we all know it as Fall
The line of the story that I have presented
Fall is just something that grown-ups invented.

Though some things in Fall are just too good to pass
Jumping in leaves and Halloween is a gas
But I’d rather see to it that the truth be told
So I better do it now before I grow old

They wanted a break after the summer disarray
To rest up then handle the stress of Christmas day
So the grown-ups got together and made up the rule
That kids shouldn’t be playing
No they should be in school

Fall is just something that grown-ups invented
Fall is just something that grown-ups invented
Fall is just something that grown-ups invented
Fall is just something that grown-ups invented

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2906710

iTunes has it for sale as a single - it's THE HIVES (your favourite band, of course)...

Keep it on the up-and-up. Oh, and a tidbit of wisdom:

If you're keeping something or hiding something from somebody very close to you, think it out and then share it with them. If they have admiration, respect or love for you (possibly all three), it will make your relationship much stronger. It's not worth the ulcers or sneaking around to conceal something they might dig on with you.

ROCK ON!

I decided to step in to the 20th century and get a dedicated AIM screen name - if anybody even uses that anymore...

DrakeQuackDuck is where you can find me. If you might have had me on your list under a different name, just forget about it.

I drew a bunch of stuff on a pad of paper. I might just scan some in for the fun of it - other pieces I'd like to retouch with the tablet...

I started building some footpaws - and I think I'm in love with the fur I bought for them. It's one of those things - if you want something done, do it yourself? Well... Let's see if that's true. In theory - and on paper and in the initial patterns - this is going to kick ass.

Hope the season "FALL" is treating you well.

as though I haven't got enough going on, I've been approached to take the drums in a Who tribute band locally. I'll do it if they ask me seriously. I mean, I am better than the guy they have now anyway... (giant ego, anybody?)

I broke down my problems in to little pieces. I ate some of them. I put some in to drawers. I addressed some immediately. The upswing has never felt so nice.

I'm finalizing my travel plans for FC. Still can't believe I couldn't make it last year. Well, actually I can.

I'll post more interesting stuff to my gallery once it gets finished. I've been spending my time with Beavis & Butt-Head (I'm up to episode 93 I think...), writing tunes to debut on the road with the band, and supporting this independent record we've done... WHICH IS WAY HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. The gigs come easy - the people come to the shows - but the radio play and sale/consignment is tough sometimes.

LUNCH TIME!

need some time to get back in to a positive swing.
everything has been so god damn negative lately - all self-imposed, or self-triggered, of course.

how can so many BLOCKBUSTER GREAT THINGS be going on, and a person feel so bad?

sorry to those who have been contacting me to recieve slow, short responses.

oh well, whatever, nevermind.

I've been watching what is certain to be my downfall.

I've been acquiring, disk by disk, a 16 DVD collection of every Beavis & Butt-Head episode with EVERYTHING as originally broadcast on MTV. Fire, glue sniffing, gas sniffing, foul-language... and the videos!

It's pretty extensive for a bootleg set - and the quality is what i would consider a 8 or 9 out of 10. The bonus features are pretty cool, too. Lots of Milton shorts and that sort of thing.

I broke stride last night and hung out with some local furs. I had a great time, but wasn't expecting so many Pabst tallboys. When the price is right, I guess anything can be unexpected.

I've been drawing from the hip lately - just throwing down sketches and then walking away. It's been satisfying, but rarely postably productive. I might slide a few ideas in to scraps... I'm definitely working on something nice looking, though.

PS: I'll be touring the upper midwest November-Decemberish. SUPER exciting and SUPER excitED to get to Minneapolis. I miss the damn place when I play shows.

I GOT NO TIME FOR FUR AFFINITY.

I just have to face those facts. Real life took an awesome upswing, and I'm riding the HELL out of it.

NO LONGER can I obsessively check for comments or watches or see the VIEWS go up on a piece of art because I sit on the page and WAIT.

I contemplated just deleting it, but then some dragon would get the name DRAKE on FA, and I simply can't get behind that. Plus, I'd be back.

"...Of course I'll be back! If you didn't close, I'd never leave!"
- Barney, the simpsons

So, after excavating my desk (I should have hired an archaeologist - I feel like I may have thrown away potentially important historical items/documents), reaching the bottom, and finding that I still have a tablet (and accessories!), I went to try to finish up a long-ago started drawing, but couldn't find it!

Evidently, I'd become so accustomed to letting OpenCanvas quit without saving as though it "crashed," and allowing the piece to magically reappear for me to continue on that after so many re-starts and re-boots, it became lost.

Then it occurred to me: Drawing should not be an ongoing, labourous process. I should not be concerning myself with things that take longer than a couple days to complete. Draw for the now, draw for the impulse...

So that's what I'm doing. I'll re-do what I had done, but it will take me much less time due to having an already almost finished mental picture of what it was... And then rock it how I deem fit!

I also learned a lesson about cleaning up my room. YOU HAVE TO DO IT ONCE IN A WHILE OR ELSE YOU ARE A SLOB. Not like a banana-peel-laying-under-piles-of-clothes sort of slob, but a paperwork and miscellanei slob! I found things I should have responded to in April ("Hurry! Offer valid through 4/28/07!"), figurines I thought had been swallowed up by my desk (I KNOW IT'S JUST A DESK, BUT SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS ALIVE), and other such things that should have just been thrown out (when you OPEN and take out MAIL from the ENVELOPE, THROW THE FUCKING ENVELOPE AWAY!)... It was a real definitive mess.

That's all. Thanks for tuning in.

...and Soundhound, you're right - we should just break down and do a trade. With this spurt of productivity, I might actually make good! Let's get that train on the tracks. Or whatever else you'd say to spur that on.

For those uninformed/underinformed,

a section of I-35 that runs across the Mississippi river in Minneapolis, near University Avenue collapsed yesterday, about this time.

having ties to the twin cities, I cannot even begin to count how many times I crossed that bridge - both under and over.

I feel for the entire state as it goes through this tragedy, and can solidly say that Minnesota will pull out of this much stronger. They can finally stop quibbling about their new ballpark, the Vikings and the temperatures.

Seriously - take a little time out of your day and be thankful the bridge you're on/under hasn't collapsed out from under you while you're waiting in traffic to get across.

I built a shelf over the weekend.

I literally went to the wall, measured out the area, went to the store, bought some wood and fasteners, and built a 6' x 4', 7 tier shelving unit from pine 2x4s and 1x6s. One of the greatest feelings of accomplishments I've had this month.

how was YOUR weekend, FurAffinity users?

Bugs Bunny celebrates his birthday today.

Please join me by watching your favorite Bugs toon tonight - my personal favrorite at the moment is FORWARD MARCH HARE.

If you think you live near me, give me a jingle. We can watch together - it might give me somebody to share this cake with.

I "lol'd" when I went through the FA photo section today.

Holy shit, people.

No specifics needed in this case. Just... Wow.

Nothing new - sorry to waste your time reading another journal... I honestly just can't figure out the appeal of taking your shirt of, holding a camera out in front of you/standing in front of a mirror and then posting the result to FurAffinity.net. At least learn how to crop, rotate, or perhaps add lens flare (LOL).

I will laugh at you in person if I recognize you from your embarassing/unneccessary FA picture. Possibly more than I laugh at myself.

not that anybody gives a p'tute, but I've been, and will continue to be, busy. I have some massive outside projects taking precedence - some pay suitcases full of money, and some (like FA) pay me nothing but satisfaction... You can imagine where I allot my time.

I have just a few pieces of art in the backlog that I'd like to post, and I'm always up for a trade (I still need to get going on some beats for Defenda - stay cool!).

I'll still be ch-ch-checkin' in.

PS: I now wear Ray Ban Wayfarer (RB2140) Tortoise Shell sunglasses almost constantly. I've possibly never owned anything so cool in all my life.

Dear (most) Furries:

Thanks for living up to my every expectation. I decided to de-badge within steps of the convention most of the time, due to your rampant running about, socially unaware that there are limitations.

I would also like to thank the Creepy Follow Rob Paulsen Around All The Time Guys for camping out wherever this guy went, giving him your best vocal impressions of characters this guy's done over the years. Surely, he forgot how those voices went. I know that those of us waiting to say "Thanks for years of entertainment," shake his hand and get on with things really appreciated the 25 Rev Runner posters you got him to sign, too. Where did you even GET that stuff?

On a converse note, some of you guys can really play the piano. I was impressed, sitting and dozing in the sun somewhere between the first and third floors (that's second, isn't it?) to hear so many fragments of various songs (Legend of Zelda "main theme" comes to mind, as does "Free Bird."), being emitted from a piano that surely isn't used aside from folks like you taking control.

I still had a damn great time at the Anthro-Convention. While I like to rail on the hilarious train-wreck stuff, it is what it is: A convention full of anthropomorphic animal character fans - some of the characters being fan-created and portrayed, some not. It certainly broke attendance records. I wouldn't have gone if I truly thought it was something awful. Plus, it's fun to break down that internet "4th wall" sometimes.

I couldn't help but laugh, being many blocks away from the convention center in the Strip District, seeing scrawled on a hole-in-the-wall pub's sandwich board outside "WELCOME OUR FURRIE FRIENDS." The bar did not look as though its clientelle would exactly welcome any "furrie" friends in to their establishment with open arms.

With love,
yours ridiculously,
drake q. duck

PS: No, I don't mind if you come and smoke pot down here. It's not my convention center. Let it be known, though, that any jerk can see you from the pedestrian bridge above us. FYI. hahah

I'll be in the city of Pittsburgh for a second year in a row beginning July 5, ending July 8.

If you think you would like to find me, look on the big board of messages under D for DUCK and Q for QUACK.

I'm not sure why I go to these things. This year, it's to meet Rob Paulsen and perhaps some other internet folks... Other years... ? no excuse.

see you there?

even though I'm highly capable of making a delicious sandwich, I've been compelled to eat out at sandwich shops.

all my life it's been this way. I love it when somebody else makes me a sandwich. here are my top sandwich shop picks.

1. Jimmy John's. Recently introduced to me (last year, possibly year prior), this "upstart" from Illinois makes the best goddamn sandwiches fast food can offer. Truly, "so fast you'll freak," and tasty as anything. When I'm hungry, nothing tames me better than a JJ's Gargantuan. Also, give me an opportunity to buy a larger bag of those Salt & Vinegar chips!

2. Clark's. This one would be local to the Twin Cities, and only until about 1996, when they closed down. Dynamite sandwiches, which had been famously made since the mid-sixties by the same people in the same restaurant. Subway caused their demise. They had a "secret" dressing somewhere between vinegarette and malt vinegar. I still haven't been able to nail it down.

3. The Original Sub Shoppe. Another Twin Cities favorite - may or may not still be operating. Took over Clark's operation after they went belly-up. Satisfying, yet strangely unfilling, forcing you to either order a side or come back for a second sandwich. They were/are doing something special.

4. Suburpia. Localized to Milwaukee, this place has been legendary for years. They went out of business for a while, but then came back - now with something like six locations. Their sandwiches come in plastic bags in which you can eat them out of. You need to do so, due to their salty/spiced sauce. All their subs are packed with meats and cheeses. Kettle cooked chips compliment their subs greatly.

5. Charley's. I had an opportunity to eat at Charley's for the first time this past spring while in Cleveland. Bummer about the flats being so trashy, but HOORAY for Charlie's! I've nary had a better fast-food Philly Cheese Steak than at Charley's. They recently opened one near me, so that is FANTASTIC. I saved my punch-card, so perhaps by 2009 I can get a free sub!

I'm going to try a Milo's sub today - I hear they branched off Jimmy John's in the '80s, so I am interested in knowing how good/bad things are.

WHAT SAY YOU, populous? What are YOUR favorite sandwich shops? Local, national - - even Subway, if it's the truth. Maybe we'll run in to each other at your favorite sandwich shop someday and talk cold cuts.

gawddamit

been sucked in by a bunch of Donovan tracks lately. stupid '60s troubador.

aside from listening to psych-folk-rock, I've been pounding out unfinished stories - two of which I've posted.

I'm also rocking some artwork - see you soon.

IN OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
anybody else sick and tired of people exhibiting their real-life self via photographs in their galleries?

or using the phrase "ITS NOT THAT GOOD BUT IT WILL DO" in conjunction with one of their submissions??

I'm all for personal disclosure, but releagate it to the scraps section. when you finish something, THEN put it up front.

I have an odd loving relationship with you, FurAffinity. I wish your search function worked, though.

it's JUNE
as promised, I am seeing you in this month
what makes this month special?

- I turn another year older this month
- I've been "stacking up chips," so to speak, in order to have a regular posting schedule
- the end of this month marks the near beginning of Anthrocon, which I'm excited to be attending for a second year

the break was nice. everybody should take a break once in a while. seriously. just shut off your computer once in a while.